WUNNUMIN LAKE — The new John George Martin Memorial School’s brightly coloured hallways are adorned with traditional artwork and Oji-Cree words.
“This is a reflection of the new school’s commitment to a language immersion program,” explains education director Tommy Sainnawap.
Sainnawap said reviving Oji-Cree among the First Nation’s children was a key goal of his from the moment he started as education director last year at the now-closed Lydia Lois Beardy Memorial School.
“So, the kindergarten students, Grade 1, Grade 2 students – they’re all coming in and they’re speaking Oji-Cree rather than English,” he said.
A decline in Oji-Cree use in Wunnumin Lake became noticeable about a decade ago, especially among children and youth, according to Sainnawap.
In short, he said, “the young were losing their language.”
The trend likely has its roots in the homes of Wunnumin Lake’s 600 residents, he said.
“Some parents aren’t speaking their language to their kids,” he said. “It’s much easier for them just to speak English to their kids.”
He was quick to add that he’s not entirely blameless in the trend. “I have grandkids,” he said. “I don’t even (speak Oji-Cree to them) myself much.”
The new school, which had its grand opening on Sept. 8, is named after a late elder who championed the preservation of Oji-Cree and land-based learning.
About 150 students attend the kindergarten-to-Grade 10 school, where staff includes eight teachers. After Grade 10, students go to Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay or elsewhere to complete their high school education.
The faculty at Martin Memorial School includes Rachel Burrows, a veteran educator who began teaching in Wunnumin Lake this year.
“I love it,” she said of the experience so far. “It’s fabulous, the best school I’ve ever taught at.”
A teacher with years of experience in the First Nation, Blaine Albany, said the new school building is “a big improvement” over the smaller one it replaced.
“That school was so cramped,” Albany said. “We didn’t have enough space for storage. And we didn’t have enough space for special education.”
The kids are appreciating the new digs too, said Sainnawap.
“The children are very happy with the new school, and there’s more enthusiasm for them to come to it,” he said.
Indeed, Grade 6 student Mya Bighead said she likes the new school, though “the other school had a bigger playground.”
